LPN Fundamentals Practice Questions Related

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When caring for a client with a spinal cord injury, the nurse continually monitors this client for which medical emergency?

  • A. Hemorrhage
  • B. Hypovolemic shock
  • C. Gastrointestinal atony
  • D. Autonomic hyperreflexia
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Autonomic hyperreflexia (D) is a medical emergency in spinal cord injury (SCI) above T6, causing severe hypertension from unopposed sympathetic response. Hemorrhage (A) or shock (B) requires trauma context. GI atony (C) is chronic, not emergent. D is correct. Rationale: Hyperreflexia, triggered by stimuli like bladder distension, can lead to stroke or death if untreated, requiring urgent monitoring and intervention, per SCI emergency protocols, unlike less acute complications.